Category Archives for Property Developers

What is Build to Rent?

Build to Rent is a government initiative to encourage the building of more purpose-built rental properties in the UK.

Around 3.8 million households in the UK are in private rented accommodation. That’s about 16.5% of the population. There is no doubt that some people choose to rent for the flexibility it offers, or for financial reasons, or because they do not want the responsibility of owning their own property.

In recognition of the fact that private rented housing is likely to continue to be a growing part of the housing market, the government has been introducing measures to boost this sector as well as the house buying market.

Changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax implemented in 2011 mean that large-scale investors pay a typical 1% instead of 5% on large purchases.

A £1 billion fund for equity finance for house builders and developers.

A debt guarantee scheme to support the building of more private rented housing.

Build to Rent Funding

The Build to Rent Fund assists the new development of these purpose-built rental properties. The developer takes out the funding loan, builds the properties and then passes on the loan to a third party investor. This means less risk to the developer and avoids them having to wait to regain capital from rental payments – which could take many years.

The Government hopes that the first round of developments will provide high profile ‘show case’ developments that will be test-beds to prove the model. The theory is that this will encourage more developers to take up the Build to Rent scheme rather than the more traditional one of selling off the development piecemeal, either off-plan or on completion.

The Build to Rent Fund prospectus was launched on 20 December 2012 under the joint banner of the government and the Homes and Communities Agency, and the first 45 projects were confirmed in April 2013. About a quarter of this housing will be in London, and in total are projected to support the construction of between 8,000 and 10,000 new private-rented homes.

Debt Guarantees for Developers

The private rented sector housing guarantee scheme provides a direct government guarantee on the debt property developers incur when investing in new privately rented homes.

The Government thinking is that by reducing the property developer’s borrowing costs it should increase the number of homes they can afford to provide.

The government application process for direct guarantees focusses on applications that comply with the government scheme rules. Developers are expected to demonstrate a robust rental demand with a viable exit strategy, a solid management structure, and suitable asset cover,

Private Rented Sector Taskforce

There is an expert panel to oversee the scheme. The Private Rented Sector Taskforce consists of developers, management bodies and institutional investors, who aim to support the expansion of the build to let sector.

The Taskforce is headed by Andrew Stanford, who is the former Head of Cluttons Residential was MD and founder of property and asset management company Stanford Mallinson.

Other Taskforce members are:

Julian D’Arcy of Kirkby Capital, a former regional chairman and proprietary partner at Knight Frank

Joanna Embling, a property consultant and chartered surveyor, specialising in urban redevelopment and a former equity partner at Cushman Wakefield

So 2014 could be an interesting place for property developers who are willing to embrace the scheme. For advice on property investment and the rental market please get in touch with Riley Marshall on 0207 394 1160.